Cooling device



Feb. 25, 1941.

w. T. Downs 2,233,249

COOLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ll U il INVENTOR. [Wu/0m 7 flow/m.

ATTORNEY:

Patented Feb. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COOLING DEVICE William '1. Downs, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 10, 1938, Serial No. 184,163

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a cooling device adapted primarily for use as a cooling device to be used in conjunc tion with automobile bodies for cooling the interior of the automobile body and the contents thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism so arranged and constructed that one of the resultant actions of the reciprocating pistons of the vehicle engine, namely, either the suction or the exhaust pressure, may be utilized for effecting a vaporization of a vaporizable liquid for lowering the temperature thereof to provide a cooling medium.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cooling device of this class whereby the cooling medium may be utilized for cooling a fluid which may be positioned in the path of a current of air to be cooled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cooling device so, arranged and constructed that the temperature of a fluid, preferably a. liquid, may be lowered by being rarefied or vapprized and brought into contact with another fluid container for cooling the same which may be placed in the path of the current of air to be cooled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cooler of this class in which a vaporizer may be used for lowering the temperature of a fluid and also function as a means for aerating a combustible fluid for operating the engine so that when desired, the carburetor may be dispensed with.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism which may be used either as a cooler or a heater depending upon its method of connection.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which,

- Fig. '1 is a side elevational view of the invention showing it applied to a vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, central, sectional view of the vaporizer used in the invention.

Fig. 3 is a. fragmentary, sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the air cooling element.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the container and motor used in the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing a. modified form of the invention.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view reduced in size and illustrating the vaporizer in side elevation show- 5 ing a modified use.

In Fig. l I have illustrated the invention used with a vehicle having a dash II and a hood I2 beneath which is positioned an engine I3 of the reciprocating piston type, the principal form 10 of which now used is of the internal combustion type. This engine is provided with an intake manifold I4 which serves as a delivery conduit for delivering fuel to the cylinders.

Positioned rearwardly of the dash is a cowl I5 15 having an opening I6 formed therein whereby air may enter intothe interior I! of the vehicle body. A tank I8 is illustrated in which the fluid used as fuel is located, this tank being provided with a delivery pipe I9 for delivering fuel there- 20 from. Leading off from the pipe I9 is a delivery pipe 20 having a valve 2I interposed therein'so that this pipe may be closed when desired so that delivery of fluid through the pipe 20 may be controlled as desired. Communicating with 25 the pipe I9 is a return delivery pipe 22 in which is interposed the control valve 23. A control valve 24 is interposed in the pipe I9 between the location of the pipe 20 and 22. The pipe extends beyond the pipe 22 and may be provided with a 30 fuel pump which will serve to facilitate delivery of fuel from thetank I8. This pipe I9, after its connection with the pipe 22, may be connected to a carburetor or if desired it may be conneoted in communication directly with the in- 35 take manifold, the opening orifice into the intake manifold, of course, being limited as to size depending upon the amount of fuel it is desired to deliver into the intake manifold directly from the pipe I9.

Mounted on the dash II beneath the hood I2 is a receptacle which maybe termed a vaporizer.

This receptacle 25 is provided with a fitting 26 to which the end of the pipe 20 is connected. In this fitting is a suitable valve mechanism 21 operated by the hingedly mounted float 28. The construction is such that when the liquid in the receptacle 25 reaches a predetermined height, the float 28 will serve to close the valve mechanism 21 so as to prevent further delivery of fluid into 5 the receptacle 25. The commonest form of fluid used for operating internal combustion engines is, of course, a liquid and this may be said to be true also of the engine of the Diesel type in which reciprocating pistons are used. The term fluid,

however, is used in its broader sense to also include gas, as a rarefiable gasmay be utilized for operating the present invention. The return delivery pipe 22 is connected by the fitting 29 in communication with the receptacle 25 at itsbottom.

Mounted within the interior H of the vehicle body is a bracket 30 which supports a shell or casing 3| within which is mounted a container 32. This container 32 is the type of container commonly used as a vehicle radiator through which are formed a multitude of air passages and .within which is a multitude of passages or tubes. The two commonest forms of containers of this type are known as the honey-comb and the tube and fin type. .At the top of the container 32 is a chamber 33 communicating with the interior compartments thereof and a similar chamber or container 34 communicates with the bottom thereof. I

Communicating with the chamber 33 is a pipe 35. Communicating with the interior of the chamber 34 is a pipe 31. This pipe 31 is connected in communication, through the valve 38, with a pipe 38 which projects into the interior of the receptacle 25 and is formed into a coil 40 positioned in this receptacle. The pipe is connected through the valve 4| and the pump 42 with the upper end 43 of the coil 40. The pipe 31 also connects, through the valve 44, with the water pipe 45 communicating with the vehicle radiator 46. The pipe 35 also communicates through the valve 41 with the water jacket of the engine 3. The construction is such that when the valves 44 and 41 are opened and the valves 38 and 4| are closed, the container 32 will be connected in communication with the water system of the engine l3 so that there will be circulated through the container 32, by means of the water pump 48 of the vehicle, the water which is used for cooling the engine |3l When the engine has been run so as to raise the temperature of the water, it is thus obvious that hot water will be delivered to the container 32.

Mounted on the bracket 30 is a motor 49 used for driving the fan so that air will be forced through the air passages of the container 32. It is thus obvious that, when connected with the water system of the engine as described, the device may be used as a car heater.

When used as a car cooler, the valves 44 and 41 would be closed and the valves 38 and 4| would be opened. The container 32 as well as the coil 40 would be filled with a suitable liquid, such as water, and this liquid would .be circulated through the container 32 by means of the pump 42. It isbelieved obvious that if desired, the pump referred to may be eliminated and the circulation, by convection, relied upon.

Extending into the receptacle'25 is a pipe 5| having a fitting 42 thereon which opens at its Y end by means of the slit 53 into the interior of the receptacle 25. Projecting upwardly from this fitting 52 is a pipe 54 which opens into the interior of the deflecting housing 55 positioned in the interior of the receptacle 25 and communicating therewith through the slots 56. This pipe 5| communicates through the check valve 51 and the T-fitting 58 and the valve 59 with the interior of the intake manifold I4. The pipe 5| is communicated with the interior of the intake manifold when it is desired to operate the device by suction. Should it be desired to operate the device by siphonage, this connection would be with the exhaust manifold instead of the intake manifold, as will be readily understood. The T 58 communicates with a collapsible bellows housing 60 which is mounted on a suitable bracket 6|. This bellows-like collapsible housing68 carries on its lower end a stem 62 adapted to project .into and serve as a closure for the opening 63 formed in the upper end of the receptacle 25 so as to establish communication of the same with the atmosphere. 4

Projecting into the receptacle 25 and extending downwardly toward the bottom thereof so as to terminate below the level of the liquid in the receptacle 25, is a pipe 64 carrying on its upper end a valve 65 whereby the communication of the inner end of the pipe 64 with the atmosphere will be controlled. The receptacle 25 is covered with a covering 66 of suitable heat insulating material.

When it is desired to use the device as a heater, the valve 58 will, of course be closed as would likewise the valves 2| and 23.

When it is desired to use the device as a cooling apparatus, the valve 24 would be closed and the valves 2| and 23 would be opened as would likewise the valve 59. The valve 65 would be opened to the proper degree to permit a bleeding of air into the interior of the receptacle 25 in the proper amounts. The valves 44 and 41 would be closed and the valve 4| would be opened. When the engine is started, a partial vacuum would-be established in the receptacle 25 through connection of the receptacle with the intake or exhaust manifold as the case may be. It will appear obvious that if the device is connected to the exhaust manifold, the vaporization fiuid used would be discharged through the exhaust manifold. Since it is desired to use as the vaporizable fluid in the receptacle 25 the fluid used for propelling the vehicle, it is preferable that the connections be made with the intake manifold so that no waste of fuel fluid will be effected. The check valve 51 will prevent backward flow into the receptacle through the pipe 5|. As this partial vacuum is established in the receptacle 25, air will fiow through the pipe 64 and bubble upwardly through the liquid or fiuid container in the receptacle 25. It is believed obvious that the level of this liquid in the receptacle 25 will be determined by the location of the fluid operated valve. Consequently, the amount of submergence of the coil 40 in the liquid in the receptacle 25 will depend upon the height of the liquid level in the receptacle 25. As this partial vacuum is established the liquid in the receptacle 25 will be rarefied and also vaporization will take effect. The air emitting from the lower end of the pipe 64 will bubble upwardly through the liquid and become humidi- A the container 32 so that the air directed throughthe air passages of the container 32 will be cooled. This air will enter theinterior H of the vehicle body from the outside through the opening l6 and, if desired, a suitable conduit may be used for conducting the air from the opening lli to adjacent the fan 50. Because of the cool liquid circulating through the container 32, the air will be lowered in temperature and the proper degree of cooling of the interior I! of the car effected. As the speed of operation of the engine increases, the degree of vacuum established in the receptacle 25 will rise. This same partial vacuum will also be present in the conduit 61 which serves to connect the interior of the collapsible housing 60 with the T-fitting 58. When this partial vacuum reaches a predetermined stage, the housing 69 will collapse, raising the stem 62 off of the opening 63 and permitting air to enter the efiective device for bringing about a cooling of the interior ll of a vehicle body. It is believed obvious that the device may be utilized not only in affording comfort to the occupants of the vehicle, but also in maintaining a lower temperature in the vehicle body when it is used for transporting perishable goods such as vegetables,

, flowers, milk and the like.

25. A layer 66' of heat insulating material em-.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention. In this form the cofl 49' which is connected in a similar manner to the coil 40 is positionedin embracing relation to the receptacle 25' which corresponds to the receptacle braces the coil 40'.

In Fig. '7 I have shown a further modified form of the invention in which a receptacle 25' corresponding to the receptacle 25 and connecting as described therefor, is inserted into a receptacle 68 in which is positioned the liquid which circulates through the container 32, the pipe 69 corresponding to the pipe 43 and thepipe 19 corresponding to the pipe 39, these pipes 69 and 19 being connected as are their respective equivalents in the preferred form. It is, therefore, obvious that the receptacle G8 is a substitute for the coil 40 or the coil 40', the operation of the mechanism being otherwise the same. A layer 66 of heat insulating material embraces the receptacle 25" and 68.

In Fig. 1 I have indicated a pipe ll connected .in communication with the pipe 29, a valve 12 being interposed in this pipe II. This is to indicate that, if desired, an alcohol tank or other suitable receptacle may be connected in communication with the pipe 20 and when this is done, the valves 2| and 23 would be closed when the device is being used as a cooler.

It is believed obvious that instead of the container 32 an ordinary coil may be used for positioning in the path of the current of air to be cooled. In the appended. claims the word suction manifold is intended to embrace the exhaust manifold, the intake manifold or any other part of the engine by means of which a suction or siphonage may be delivered to the apparatus.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown but desire to'avail'myself of such variations and modifications asmay come within the scope. of the appended claims.

What I'claim as new is:

1. In combination with a. vehicle having an engine for propelling the same provided with a suction manifold: a receptacle for the reception of vaporizable liquid; means for establishing communication of said receptacle above the level of the liquid therein with a suction manifold of the engine for producing a partial vacuum in the receptacle upon the operation of said engine and conducting vapors from said receptacle and lowering the temperature of-the liquid in said receptacle; means for bleeding air into said receptacle below the level of the liquid therein; a liquid container positioned in proximity to said receptacle, the liquid in said receptable effecting a lowering of the temperature of the liquid in said container; a second liquid container; means for circulating said liquid from said first-named liquid container through said second-named liquid container; means for directing a current of air into the proximity of said second-named container for cooling said current of air; and means for relieving the vacuum in said receptacle upon the developing of said vacuum to a predetermined degree.

2. In a device of the class described adapted for use with a vehicle engine having a suction manifold, areceptacle for the reception of vaporizable liquid; means for establishing communication of said receptacle above the level of the liquid therein with the suction manifold of the engine for producing a partial vacuum in said receptacle upon the operation of said engine'and conducting vapors from said receptacle and lowering the temperature of the liquid in said receptacle; means for bleeding air into said receptacle below the level of the liquid therein; control means for regulating the amount of air bled into said receptacle; and means for breaking said vacuum upon the developing of the vacuum to a predetermined degree.

3. In a device of the class described adapted for use with a vehicle having an engine provided with a suction manifold, a receptacle for the reception of vaporizable liquid; means, for establishing communication of said receptacle above the level of the liquid therein with a suction manifold of the engine for. producing a partial vacuum in said receptacle upon the operation of said engine and conducting vapors from said receptacle and lowering the temperature of the liquid in said receptacle; a control in said communication-establishing means for controlling the quantity of fluid passing therethrough; means for bleeding air into said receptacle below the liquid level thereof; a control in said airbleeding means for controlling the amount of air passing therethrough; and means for relieving said vacuum upon the development of said vacuum to a predetermined'degree.

4. A device of the class described adapted for use with an engine having a suction manifold, a receptacle for the reception of vaporizable liquid; means for establishing communication of said receptacle above the level of the liquid therein with a suction manifold of the engine for producing a partial vacuum in said receptacle upon the operationof said engine and conducting vapors from said receptacle and lowering the temperature of the liquid in said receptacle; an air conduit communicable with said manifold; a control for controlling the quantity of air passing through said air conduit into said mani- 4 :msaase the development of the same to a predetermining the liquid in said container; means for di-- ing degree.

5. A device of the class described adapted for use with an engine having a suction manifold, a receptacle for the reception of vaporizable liquid; means for establishing communication of said receptacle above the level of the liquid therein with a suction manifold of the engine for producing a partial vacuum in said receptacle upon the operation of said engine and conducting vapors from said receptacle and lowering the temperature of the liquid in said receptacle; an air conduit communicable with said manifold; a control for controlling the quantity of air passing through said air conduit into said manifold; means for breaking said vacuum upon the development of the same to a predetermined degree; and means for controlling the level of the liquid in said receptacle.

6. In combination with vehicle having an engine for propelling the same and provided with a suction manifold: a receptacle for the reception.

of vaporizable liquids; means for establishing communication of said receptacle above the liquid level therein with said manifold for establishing a partial vacuum in said receptacle and leading vapors therefrom; a liquid container; means for forcibly circulating the liquid'from said container through said receptacle for coolrecting a current of air into the proximity of said container for cooling said current of air; and means for conducting, out of contact with said vapors; from adjacent the bottom 'of said re-' ceptacle the less vaporizable liquids.

7. In combination with a' vehicle having an engine for propelling the saldvehicle. a suction manifold on said engine, a tank for supplying vaporizable fuel .to said engine,-a conduit for In conducting vaporizable fuels from said tank to said engine, and a carburetor interposed in said conduit: a receptacle; means commlmicating said receptacle with said supply tank between said supply tank and said carburetor: means for [5 controlling the deliverycf fuel into said receptacle; means for connecting said receptacle to said manifold between the engine and the carburetor for maintaining a partial vacuum in said receptacle and conducting vapor therefrom to said engine; a liquid container; means for directing a current of air into the proximity of said container for cooling said current of air; means for leading said liquid through saidreceptacle, for cooling the-liquid; and means for conducting the less vaporizable fuel'from adjacent the bottom of said receptacle, out of con-- tact with said vapors, to said carburetor.

WILLIAM '1. DOWNS. 

